British Indian in Dubai torture row

London: Three Britons, including an Indian-origin man, have been jailed for four years in Dubai for drug offences amid allegations that the trio were tortured by police in custody.

Suneet Jeerh, Grant Cameron and Karl Williams were found guilty of possession of synthetic cannabis and jailed for four years in prison yesterday.

25-year-old Jeerh`s family has claimed that the trio were tortured by police in Dubai following their arrest.

Britain has said will raise concerns over allegations of torture involving three of its nationals including an Indian-origin man jailed in Dubai for drug offences.

The case coincides with a diplomatic state visit to the UK by the President of the United Arab Emirates.

"We remain concerned by the allegations of mistreatment on arrest and continue to raise these with the UAE authorities," a Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) spokesperson said.

"The state visit by His Highness, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will primarily be a chance to develop and strengthen relations between the UK and the UAE. However, ministers will raise these cases, along with other issues, during the course of the State Visit," the spokesperson added.

There have also been calls for the Queen to intervene when the Sheikh arrives at Windsor Castle on Tuesday for a reception.

Jeerh, a 25-year-old from Ilford in east London, was on holiday in the Gulf state along with Grant Cameron, also 25, and Karl Williams, 26, in July 2012 when they were arrested after police found the drug known as "spice" in their car.

Jeerh`s brother, Aneet, has urged the British government to do more. "Something is getting lost in translation at the highest level between Britain and Dubai. At the moment this country seems more caught up in its business relationships than worrying about the welfare of its people. The torture treatment of people in that country needs to be expressed to the Queen with urgency," he told `The Independent`.

His sister, Davena Kumar, has also claimed that their brother was given electric shock treatment.

"His whole spine was electrocuted quite badly. Even now you can see where his back is still not the same," she said.
The three Londoners claim they signed documents in Arabic a language none of them understands following their arrests because they were threatened with guns to their heads.
Prime Minister David Cameron had also expressed his concerns over the torture allegations.